Marco Polo hunt in Tajikistan

Description

Marco Polo Sheep, in the Pamir mountains of Tajikistan, are one of the world’s most majestic and historically sought after trophies in one of the most majestic and scenic locations! Our outfitter has been 98% successful with average trophies size from 55" to 56" with bigger rams taken every season. The only hunters who are unsuccessful either missed or physically couldn't complete.

They have been organizing hunts in Asia & Europe for 20+ years and their highly skilled and professional team in camp at the airports and throughout your hunt make sure that everyone has an experience of a lifetime. With over 3,500 successful Asia hunts, of which many hunters harvested World Record Trophies, we are confident in stating that our outfitter is simply unmatched!

The style of hunting is driving (not always on roads) and then stopping when sheep are spotted or stopping to glass. If a good ram is spotted, there are two ways to approach. Most common is for the guides to quickly get you as close as they can by vehicle. The sheep may stop and watch from within shooting range, presenting a good shot opportunity. This is a hunt to be prepared to shoot long-range for best chance for success. If you want to make more of a classic stalk, understand you are increasing the difficulty level substantially and reducing your chance at a monster. However, if you make yourself abundantly clear that you want to spot and stalk, and the guides will comply. Also please, reflect this considerable extra effort of this style of hunt in their gratuity when you are successful. You are likely to see over 1,000 sheep a day and anything from +-100 of these will be rams. Don’t allow yourself to be talked into a lesser ram on the first day just because you are excited to be there. Take your time, know what you are after, and communicate that with your guides.

Altitude is not to be taken lightly as you will be hunting 12,500- to 14,500+-ft in elevation. There is a doctor in camp, and a hyperbaric chamber is available in case of an emergency, should you get altitude sickness. Being in good shape for the hunt is a must, more importantly don’t overexert yourself and take it slowly, drink a lot of water avoiding alcohol and caffeine and understand that in spite of diamox and other things that are making you feel great, your body is working extra hard to make things happen!

If Marco Polo is on your list, please call our office and we'll take care of the rest! The WTA team can take care of your entire trip including pre and post-hunt details, processes and CITES permit application!

Price

$42,000 including transfer package based on 4x4 hunting (We will work to schedule you in a group of 4 for logistics)

$2,500 add on for hunter not in a 4x4 group

$7,500 add on for Pamir Ibex on Marco Polo hunt

$9,500 Ibex only based on 2x2

Non-hunters - $500/day

Trophy fees on additional species:

Wolf $3,000 - animal of opportunity

Pamir Ibex $7,500

Trophy fees subject to change

Dates

The best time of the year, which is the rut, is the end of Nov through the end of December. With the rut happening every day is a new day. Also the second half of January is really good. In January the snow comes in and it pushes the sheep down which is why it is better. The rut will be over then but the sheep that were out of site usually show up at that time

Included

Visa invitation, hunting license, gun import permits, hunting organization up to mentiond days and one trophy fee, area fees, customs cleance, transfer from/to closest airport of main destination, full board accommodations/food at hunting area, interpreter and local guides, transfer package: airport handling in Dushanbe and transfers between Dushanbe/Khorog/Hot Springs Camp.

Transportation

Day 2 -Arrive in Istanbul, you will be met by a representative and overnight.

WTA recommends staying 2 nights. See below

Day 4 – Meet your guide and he will join hunt as a representative.

He will organize meeting point, custom pass, etc during hunt and will be with hunters until fly back to Istanbul.

Fly to Dushanbe, Tajikistan where you will be met.

You have two options to transfer to Khorog and then camp. See below

Day 4 - Dushanbe/Khorog transfer and overnight in Khorog

Day 5 - Khorog to Hot Spring Camp transfer.

Days 6 -10 -– Scheduled hunt days

Day 11 Transfer from Hot Springs camp to Khorog and overnight

Day 12- Transfer from Khorog to Dushanbe and overnight

Day 13–Fly to Istanbul, Turkey and take connecting flight home

You will leave from the US out of New York, San Francisco, Miami, Toronto, Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, Washington, Boston, and you will fly directly to Istanbul using Turkish Airlines. You will then continue using Turkish Airlines to the capital of Tajikistan which is Dushambe.

From Dushambe you can choose to do one of two things:

Small flight to Khorog and then by car for 4 or 5 hours

Or you can drive from Dushambe which is around a 14 hour drive. The perk to driving is that your body will have time to climatize and your blood will be able to get more oxygen before the hunt.

WTA highly recommend staying two nights in Istanbul, and this is for two reasons:

1) You are embarking on a high altitude hunt and the combination of altitude and jetlag (you may be up to 14 time zones from home) is not pleasant, so a couple of days to acclimatize in a comfortable hotel is a great way to mitigate the effects of jetlag.

2) If your bag or rifle is lost, this gives two days for it to be located and for you to catch up with it. While hunting in such a specialized environment you will have specific clothing and needs and you will want your own bag before proceeding!

Istanbul is a very historic town and there is a great person, Our outfitter offers comprehensive day tours. Or, you can spend the day relaxing and gently getting over jetlag in the hotel. WTA will book your hotel and all transfers for you. (We strongly Recommend to overnight In Istanbul. Sometimes rifles are coming with next flight )

Approximate License & Tag(s) Cost

For all permits your outfitter need at least 2 months prior to the trip to prepare. You will need to send a copy of your passport and firearm details to your WTA consultant and outfitter

Physical Requirement Level

Level 4 -
All sheep hunts, goat, most grizzly and brown bear, some mountain lion and elephant. The terrain and/or animals can involve some dangerous situations. These hunts will probably require extreme physical endurance and some athletic ability.